Newsletter 2003 - Dogs
Rhian on a family walk - Christmas 2002
We lost Rhian (Weslave Wild Tansy) in April, just 6 weeks before her 15th birthday. She went downhill pretty fast and left us with no doubt that the time had come to say goodbye. She has left a hole in the family, her gentle sweet nature will not be forgotten.
Rhian & Cerys
I have not been showing Cerys (Barhi Hidden Dragon), mainly because I can't handle two dogs in one class. However, she has been making her mark in other ways. At her first obedience competition (pre-beginners at a championship show), she came 11th out of 25. She excelled herself by being placed 2nd (out of 6) in a very strong puppy class at the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club working test in November. Then she won her Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold Award at the end of November, and she is only 18 months old. She won her Bronze at 5 months and her Silver at 13 months. The Dog World Breed Corespondent (Sharon Barkley) added to the above, "The gold award is an achievement in itself, but for one so young, Finuala can rightly be proud."
Oliver - Hampshire Gundog - April 2003
Puppy Group 3
Miar (Kazval Bon Voyage via Barhi) amazed me by being placed in an exemption show obedience competition, with both Delenn (Barhi Withycombe Shade) and Cerys only just out of placings.
Copper (Barhi Kings Copse) has continued his winning ways with more Best of Breeds.
Oliver (Barhi Crouching Tiger) ended his puppy career with loads of Best Puppies and 2 Puppy Group 3 placements. He qualified for Crufts 2004 so many times that I decided to give him a rest from Championship shows in August to allow him to mature. We continue to do local Open shows and he has numerous wins under his belt, including his first best of Breed. On the brains side of things, Ollie gained his Kennel Club Good Citizen Silver award. He is now working toward his Gold.
Both puppies have passed their health checks - their hip scores were very pleasing as they are below the breed average of 19 [Cerys (5:7) and Oliver (7:7)] and both of them have eyes that are clear (for Hereditary Cataract and Goniodysgenesis). Hopefully, Cerys will have a litter toward the end of 2004.